Amazon is reportedly developing a new high-end Fire tablet that could replace its long-standing Fire OS with a version of the Android Open Source Project (AOSP), according to sources familiar with the matter.
The device, internally codenamed “Kittyhawk,” is expected to be priced at around $400, significantly higher than the current Fire Max 11 tablet.
Amazon’s Fire tablets have historically relied on Fire OS, a heavily modified fork of Android that powers the company’s own app ecosystem via the Amazon Appstore.
Industry reports suggest the company is exploring AOSP to address the platform’s limited app selection compared with devices that come preloaded with Google Play Store. However, the new tablet is not expected to include Google services, leaving app availability uncertain.
Details on the device’s display, hardware, or launch timeline have not been disclosed. Analysts note that Amazon could expand its Appstore or rely on sideloading to provide applications for the tablet.
The company has not confirmed any plans regarding integration with Google or the specifics of its software strategy.
Source: computerbase.de, reuters.com